Ever imagined a console subject to hardware updates? Phil Spencer has

This is something you might want to read, Phil Spencer, has created a tidal wave of speculation today after hinting that the Xbox One could, in the future, become the subject of hardware updates bringing the console up to the spec of modern day PCs. Speaking last week at a Microsoft press conference, Spencer commented on the future of the Xbox One, comparing it to that of a PC with upgrades to help boost performance.

Now, before we go on, this is something that should most definitely be taken with a pinch of salt, these press events are often filled with extremely bold claims and this seems to fall much in line with some of the boldest ever statements made, despite however technically possible it may be. Here’s the important bits:

“Consoles lock the hardware and the software platforms together at the beginning of the generation. Then you ride the generation out for seven or so years, while other ecosystems are getting better, faster, stronger. “And then you wait for the next big step function.”

“When you look at the console space, I believe we will see more hardware innovation in the console space than we’ve ever seen. You’ll actually see us come out with new hardware capability during a generation allowing the same games to run backward and forward compatible because we have a Universal Windows Application running on top of the Universal Windows Platform that allows us to focus more and more on hardware innovation without invalidating the games that run on that platform.

“We can effectively feel a little bit more like we see on PC, where I can still go back and run my old Doom and Quake games that I used to play years ago but I can still see the best 4K games come out and my library is always with me. Hardware innovation continues while the software innovation is able to take advantage and I don’t have to jump a generation and lose everything that I played on before.”

Software updates is something we’re completely used to when it comes to owning console, but we’re yet to see anything in the form of a hardware update, in fact, the very idea that the Xbox One could be upgraded could significantly increase the existing hardwares lifespan and could, in theory represent significant financial savings to Microsoft. That said, it’s a risky tactic one that has the potential to make or break the brand as we know it. But we’re all well aware Microsoft aren’t one to shy away from the occasional risk, let’s just hope that should they decide to take this one, it hits home with their fans.